Millions strike across Spain in first general strike in 14 years over housing crisis
Editorial illustration — Press Pass USAMillions of Spanish workers walked off the job Wednesday in the country's first general strike in 14 years, shutting ports and factories to demand government action on a housing crisis that has pushed average rents to nearly a young worker's entire monthly salary — less than three weeks before a snap national election.
The 24-hour stoppage was called jointly by Spain's two largest unions, UGT and CCOO, together with tenants' associations, under the slogan "Salaries. Housing. Prices." The unions reported early participation of 90 percent at ports and in the automotive sector, with total stoppages at Volkswagen's factory in Navarre and SEAT's plant in Barcelona, along with 85 percent in the meat industry, 82 percent in waste collection and 75 percent in energy.
The strike centers on a housing shortage the Bank of Spain estimates at about 750,000 homes, projected to grow to more than one million by 2028. The average monthly rent in Spain now stands at €1,176 (about $1,315) — equivalent to about 98.7 percent of a young person's average monthly salary, according to the Youth Council of Spain. Average rents have nearly doubled in the last 10 years.
The mobilization grew out of weeks of demonstrations over the eviction last month of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid home. Housing activists are calling for a ban on tourist rental apartments, stricter measures against real estate speculation, and legal protections for tenants through automatic lease renewals. The unions are also demanding more government intervention in the housing market and a new minimum wage agreement.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government attempted to pass emergency decrees limiting evictions and curbing rent increases, and Parliament is set to vote Thursday on whether to ratify the two housing decrees in a reduced interim session. Sánchez called a snap election for November 29, hoping to mobilize voters around housing. The opposition Popular Party's Miguel Tellado said Tuesday the strike was not a true strike but an electoral tactic.
Massive protest marches planned for the afternoon in nearly 130 cities were threatened by two storms, Charles and Bruna, which led Spain's weather agency AEMET to issue alerts for 14 regions over strong winds, rough seas and heavy rain. Tensions flared at the start of the strike at Madrid's Mercamadrid wholesale market, where about 1,000 protesters gathered. It is the first general strike in 14 years to be jointly backed by both major unions, in the eurozone's fourth-largest economy.
Sources: Reuters (Nov 11, 2026); Associated Press (Nov 11, 2026); UGT and CCOO union statements; Bank of Spain; Youth Council of Spain.
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